District details

Schoenrock, a Republican, has been a Jefferson County commissioner for almost a decade, according to his campaign website, and is a retired U.S. Army officer.

Smith, a registered nonpartisan, has been a lawyer in Crete for more than 30 years. She is a mom and business owner who created her own law firm.

Schoenrock has endorsements from Nebraska’s three congressmen and other state officials, U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, Stand for Health Freedom, Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police and the Lincoln Police Union, according to his Facebook page.

Smith is endorsed by Women Who Run, Nebraska State AFL-CIO, the Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council and the Crete Fraternal Order of Police, according to her Facebook page.

On the issues

Schoenrock said he is running out of a desire to serve his fellow citizens. He said he would bring values learned throughout his life in agribusiness, in the Army and on several local boards. Smith said she is running to continue her service in southeast Nebraska. She said she is ready to bring her economic experience to the Legislature as a small business owner, attorney and tax professional.

Smith said affordability is the district’s top issue. She said the state can do more to rein in local government spending, deliver targeted tax relief and ensure services remain in reach. Schoenrock said there are three issues most important for the district: meaningful tax reform, education for the rising generation and standing strong for agriculture, business and veterans. He said he has firsthand experience creating budgets, has met with all superintendents in the district and visited with multiple industry leaders across Nebraska.

Schoenrock said he would work to have a good understanding of the state budget and where revenue comes from its tax base. He said he already works with relevant entities in his years serving on local and regional boards and will work hard to best address property tax relief. Smith said sales taxes are generally regressive and disproportionately impact those with the least. She said increasing Nebraska’s sales tax to make up for property tax relief would not deliver financial relief unless very targeted.

Both candidates said they do not support changes made to recent voter-approved ballot measures. Smith said her district voted overwhelmingly in favor of paid sick leave and to keep public dollars in public schools, and actions to subvert that go against voters’ wishes. Schoenrock said lawmakers are public servants and must respect the will of the people.

Schoenrock said lawmakers must thoroughly review each case made for a data center and prioritize Nebraska’s natural resources. He said he would listen to citizens and make decisions that reflect their will and retain local control. Smith said Nebraska needs to attract new investments from across the nation, but local communities should have a strong voice and final say. She said she supports short-term moratoriums on data centers that allow people time to learn more.

Smith said the state’s budget deficit is a result of haphazard, short-term budgeting. She said she would prioritize long-term revenue planning while having hard conversations about where to cut costs and expand Nebraska’s tax base. Schoenrock said he would form specific proposals to address the state’s budget deficit and ensure essential government functions are provided in a cost-efficient manner. He said it comes down to what services the government will provide and how it will be paid for.

Schoenrock said brain drain comes down to needs for workforce housing, high-speed internet and childcare, on which he has worked extensively in various leadership capacities. He said he has already built relationships with officials in local, state, federal and private entities. Smith said Nebraska needs affordable housing, strong schools, access to childcare and healthcare and high-paying jobs to attract and retain young people. She said the Legislature should create incentive programs and tax credits to give young people the opportunity to grow their future.